A Practice Run for Air Travel

Britney Lopez would not let go of her tablet before going through security at Newark Liberty International Airport as part of AHRC New York City’s Wings for All® event.

Maria Aviles, Britney’s mother, expected this would be as far as her daughter would go during a dress rehearsal for air travel on Saturday, May 18. But with a little coaxing and patience, Britney got through security and smiled with her tablet in hand as she boarded the United Airlines jet with her family. Britney, a 16-year-old with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who attends AHRC Middle/High School, sat calmly on the plane tending to her tablet.

Joanne Furstman with twins Teddy and Nicky settled into their seats

“Just a Special Experience”

Nearly 30 families participated in Wings for All®, hosted by AHRC NYC, The Arc, United Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration. Many parents admitted being nervous, not sure what to expect. But United’s employees went out of their way to ensure this would be a smooth flight, even though the plane never left the gate. United volunteers cheered young passengers and their families as they boarded the plane. This was AHRC NYC’s first Wings for All® in New Jersey. New Jersey has the highest rate of autism with one in 34 children; the national rate is one in 59.

Parents of young and adult children with ASD and other developmental disabilities have numerous concerns about traveling on a plane. How will their child react to the airport lights, crowds, and waiting in line? Will they be comfortable with airport security officers talking to or touching them? How will the engine noise affect their child?

United Captain Mike Neff met passengers as they waited at the gate. Once on board, he reassured Tom Wu and his wife, Zoe Zhang, that their son Eason, two- and-a-half-years-old, who was crying, would be OK. Eason calmed down once his parents showed a video on a phone and sang along.

“This was fantastic, uplifting, eye opening and just a special experience,” Capt. Neff said.

Rewarding for Families

Wings for Autism®/Wings for All® also gives airport, airline, TSA professionals and other personnel the opportunity to observe, interact and deliver their services to people with disabilities in a structured, learning environment.

“Partnerships like this can remove barriers to travel for people with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families,” said Marco Damiani, CEO of AHRC NYC. “This practice run makes a huge difference. We are empowering families, while educating and sensitizing airport personnel to the unique needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families.”

John E. Goodson, Assistant Director, Educational Services & Program Development for AHRC NYC, has seen the impact the programs have on families, having coordinated seven Wings for Autism®/Wings for All® events. “It’s rewarding when you see families immediately book that trip they always wanted to,” John said. “They become an airline’s loyalist for life. They know this airline will support them.”

While this was the first time many of the young passengers had been on a plane, they were all smiles as the flight attendants came around with snacks and beverages.

“We’re Going to Fly to Disney!’”

“Every customer deserves to enjoy and be comfortable throughout their travel experience and working with The Arc helps us ensure that thousands of families across the country feel welcome when they travel with United Airlines,” Jill Kaplan, United’s President of New York and New Jersey. “We are thrilled to bring this opportunity to Newark Liberty International Airport, our New York/New Jersey hub.”

Maria Aviles was thrilled with the experience. “Britney did awesome, so we’re going to fly to Disney! I’m excited,” she said. “She liked it so much she didn’t want to get off the plane.”

Related Articles

For the most part, this article is not based on research. I am using personal life experiences and the reports of individuals with whom I have corresponded and/or personally known for many years through research for my previous book, The Partner’s Guide to Asperger Syndrome. Many of the subjects covered here apply to all seniors. […]

Autism is a lifelong diagnosis, and as adults with autism age, many of the medical, physical, and mental changes they face are similar to those of typically aging adults. As adults with autism get older, it is extremely important for family members and/or professionals working with these individuals to understand the aging process. If professionals […]

By introducing a gene variant associated with autism into monkeys, researchers hope to study treatment options for severe neurodevelopmental disorders. Using the genome-editing system CRISPR, researchers at MIT and in China have engineered macaque monkeys to express a gene mutation linked to autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in humans. These monkeys show some behavioral traits […]

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is an important and transitory juncture in the lives of modern young individuals. This exciting and oftentimes anxiety-inducing time brings with it a host of challenges: increased independence, heightened self-awareness, the taking on of more personal responsibilities, and a marked change in the expectations or practices of social engagement. […]

The DSM V which was released to the public in May, 2013, took the controversial decision to consolidate the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome, or High Functioning Autism (HFA), under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The particularism of Asperger Syndrome had provided a framework with which families affected by an autism diagnosis could think […]

Have a Comment?

Join Our Email List

Email: *

Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from Autism Spectrum News. (You can unsubscribe anytime)

Constant Contact Use.

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Mental Health News Education, Inc., 460 Cascade Drive, Effort, PA, 18330, http://www.mhnews.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact